The Blog

This Friday, Drones Will Be a New Feature in a New York Holiday Tradition

November 2, 2018: The rockettes perform part of the brand-new finale scene showing off the 100 Intel drones and Obscura’s digital projections at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Intel® Shooting StarTM mini drones have been a part of many celebrations this year, from the Winter Olympics to the 4th of July, they’ve made a major show. The light shows have broken records over and over again, proving that hundreds or thousands of drones can be choreographed and controlled by a single operator.

Now, Intel mini drones will take the stage as part of a New York holiday tradition: Madison Square Garden Company’s 2018 production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes®, presented by Chase.

Intel’s outdoor drone light shows were a totally new concept when they were introduced. But the Intel® mini drone featured in the Christmas Spectacular is “Intel’s first drone created specifically for indoor light shows and will take center stage during the finale scene, creating dynamic animations and memorable silhouettes that represent the festive holiday season,” says a press release. “This will be the longest-running production that Intel has created an indoor drone light show for, with approximately 200 performances at Radio City Music Hall during the holiday season.”

The following is excerpted from a press release.

One hundred Intel® Shooting StarTM mini drones will create a groundbreaking magical holiday drone light show over the Great Stage of Radio City using choreographed movements to create holiday-themed silhouettes in the all new finale scene “Christmas Lights.” This large scale integrated drone performance will mark the first of its kind for theater and for Intel. Intel will join an acclaimed creative team including the finale director and director of new digital show content, Sam Buntrock, a Tony, Drama Desk, and Olivier Award-nominee (Broadway and West End productions of Sunday in the Park with George); and globally recognized design studio, Obscura Digital, which created stunning brand new digital projections that extend the show beyond the stage.

“We are thrilled to announce that Intel has joined our creative team. Intel’s innovative technology and unique expertise helps propel our ambitious vision into reality with the first-of-its-kind large-scale drone performance in a theatrical setting,” said Victoria Parker, executive vice president, productions, The Madison Square Garden Company. “The addition of Intel, the leader in the drone space, to our powerhouse creative team alongside Sam and Obscura Digital, ensures that Radio City and the Christmas Spectacular will continue to push technological and artistic boundaries while maintaining the heart of the production – tradition.”

– New York, NY – 11/2/18 – Radio City Music Hall first look at the New Technology Elements Featured in the 2018 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes all-new digital projections from design studio, Obscura Digital & integration of 100 Intel drones. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes will run from November 9 – January 1, 2019 at Radio City Music Hall-Pictured: Digital Projections with Intel Drones-Photo by: Marion Curtis/Starpix for The Radio City Rockettes-Location: Radio City Music Hall

“We are constantly exploring new venues for Intel’s drone light shows. It is an honor to partner with Radio City Music Hall to integrate Intel’s innovative technology into the iconic Christmas Spectacular,” said Natalie Cheung, general manager of Intel’s drone light shows. “We customize our light show animations for each venue, and create performances with stunning visuals powered by technology that can produce billions of color combinations. Weaving Intel drones into this classic holiday tradition is something we hope the audience remembers for a lifetime.”

– New York, NY – 11/2/18 – Radio City Music Hall first look at the New Technology Elements Featured in the 2018 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes all-new digital projections from design studio, Obscura Digital & integration of 100 Intel drones. The Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes will run from November 9 – January 1, 2019 at Radio City Music Hall-Pictured: Digital Projections with Intel Drones-Photo by: Marion Curtis/Starpix for The Radio City Rockettes-Location: Radio City Music Hall

The new finale scene, “Christmas Lights,” will be a stunning example of how innovation is blended with tradition. The finale begins at the conclusion of the “Living Nativity” scene with the original light of Christmas – the North Star. Fragments of light will suddenly appear as aerialists fly across the Great Stage. The Intel® mini drones, representing Christmas lights, will create various images and animations that are synchronized to music and lighting effects. As they build in numbers throughout the scene, the final culmination will showcase a one hundred Intel® mini drone light show, as their movement and flight path will interact with Obscura’s digital projections to make various scenic elements magically come to life. The Radio City Rockettes will then be revealed, as they perform new choreography in glamorous new costumes designed by Tony and Drama Desk Award-nominated costume designer, Emilio Sosa.

The 2018 production of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, presented by Chase, will run from November 9 through January 1, 2019. The Christmas Spectacular is proud to be presented by Chase. Chase’s commitment to the Christmas Spectacular supports this unparalleled production, which continues to entertain more than a million people year after year. Throughout the run of the show, Chase customers will have access to Chase Preferred Seating, which includes some of the best seats in the house.

Ticket InformationPerformances of the 2018 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® begin November 9, 2018 and run through January 1, 2019 at Radio City Music Hall®. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased online at www.rockettes.com/christmas, Ticketmaster at 1-866-858-0007 or Radio City’s Box Office (1260 6th Avenue between 50th and 51st streets). Box Office hours are Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Service charges apply to telephone, internet and box office pick-up orders. For group sales, please call 212-465-6080. Accessible and companion seats are available via the Disabled Services Department at 888-609-7599. Visit www.rockettes.com/christmas for more information. Guided tours of Radio City Music Hall are available daily. For more information, visit www.radiocity.com/tours or call 212-465-6000; ext. 0.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.Email MiriamTWITTER:@spaldingbarker